Greeks celebrated the first anniversary of their return to democracy on Thursday (24 July) as police probed recent rioting in Athens, believed by many to have been started by sympathizers of the deposed military junta. Municipal workers cleared debris from streets in preparation for a night of revelry...but police and troops remained on the alert in case of further violence.

In a message to the people, President Constantine Tatsos said the restoration of democracy had warded off the perils which once threatened the country. He said all democratic countries in the world were glad that Greece had managed to achieve its transition without wavering, and without bloodshed.

But President Tatsos said the transition had been overshadowed by the events in Cyprus.

The Greek military government collapsed last year at the height of fighting in Cyprus after the island was invaded by Turkish forces.

Mr Tatsos said existing differences between Greece and Turkey were another matter overshadowing the new Greek democracy. He expressed the hope that reason would prevail.